Built on a pre-existing base content type, you can use your own naming convention and create as many different content types as you'd like.
Use Case Information
Content Type names will display in content widgets, like the Catalog or the Learner Access widget, and can be used in various other ways. First, let's go over the basics.
Base Content Types vs Custom Content Types
Base Content Types: Base content types are what custom content types are built on. They are the foundational structure for your content. Base Content Type options are Course, Article, Video, In-Person Event, Virtual Event (Webinar), SCORM, xAPI, and MicroCourse.
Custom Content Types: Custom Content Types are simply a way to control your content naming convention and offer a way for you to track content items by this categorization in reporting. They are each built on a base content type. You can have more than one custom content type for each base content type. By default, you instance will have the following custom content types built:
- Course
Base Content Type = Course - Article
Base Content Type = Article - Video
Base Content Type = Video - SCORM
Base Content Type = SCORM - Event
Base Content Type = In-Person Event
Note
You might have noticed that not all base content types are accounted for out-of-the-box, but that's why this article exists! Keep reading to learn about setting up new custom content types based on any base content type, like webinars or xAPI.
When configured you can control the following:
- Allow Learners to filter by custom Content Type names that mean something to them
- Filter dynamic widgets using query language of Content Type
- Allow Admins to create content using different templates
- Filter reports based on template names
Base Content Type Options
The current content structures offered include course, article, video, in-person event, virtual events (webinars), SCORM, xAPI, and MicroCourse:
Course Template:
An interactive course built with one or more different page types. Learner view includes a section-lesson-page structure, navigation between pages, and a menu with multiple features and utilities. The default course content type is not editable or deletable.
Article Template:
A standalone article page intended for short-form content. Learner view includes a static scrollable text page with multiple settings available.
Video Template:
A standalone video page. Learner view includes a static, scrollable video and text page with multiple settings available.
In-Person Event (ILT) Template:
This template can be used to display information about an in-person event, track attendance, and provide pre- and post-learning.
Webinar (VILT) Template:
An integration with selected webinar providers to seamlessly create a webinar and connect through your learning site. Option to offer pre- and post-learning.
SCORM Template:
A single SCORM file. Learner view is the optimal user experience for SCORM, directly launching the SCORM file in a new window without requiring the learner to enter the standard course learner view.
xAPI Template:
A single xAPI file. Similar to the SCORM template, the xAPI template allows you to deliver standalone xAPI content without requiring the learner to enter the standard course learner view.
xAPI functionality is behind a feature flag.
Reach out to your Account Team for assistance to enable this feature in your instance.
MicroCourse Template:
This template works well for bite-sized content where you only need to include one lesson. Great for point of need training.
Tip
Content types, besides the Course base content type, can be edited and deleted only if they have not been used yet. If you have created content with the content type, you will have to delete the content in order to edit or delete the content type.
Creating Custom Content Types
- From your homepage, select Courses > Settings.
- In the left menu, select Content Types.
- Click Add Content Type.
- Complete the fields on this page:
- Name (e.g. Blog Post, Live Event)
- Description
- Select Base Template
- Choose the Image Aspect Ratio (most sites use the default 16:9 aspect ratio, but if you have content images that are skinny and tall like book covers, you can choose the 8:5 aspect ratio)
- Click Save.
Note
If you have created multiple content types using the same template, you will be able to change content types after creating a piece of content. For example, if you create a new content type, "newsletter", which uses the article template, you can change any piece of content using the article template to the newly created "newsletter" type. To update the content type, go to edit the content item, then go to the Design Step and click Edit Catalog Settings. Make sure to save changes!
The outline and settings will be aligned with the base template structure your new content type is based on.
Tip
Learn more about creating content by visiting the article Creating Courses.
Learning Path Content Types
Learning Paths are not included as a base content type today. However, you can still update the learner display name of a Learning Path and report on Learning Path Types. To learn more, visit this article about Learning Paths.